BJP to celebrate Independence Day in a grand manner

New Delhi: BJP will celebrate Independence Day in a grand way, highlighting its "pro-poor" and nationalistic agenda, with the party likely to carry out a 'Tiranga Yatra' for a week as part of the celebrations.

The celebrations relating to August 15 were at the centre of deliberations at BJP Parliamentary Party meeting today attended by Prime Minister Narendra Modi among others, with senior leader and Union Minister M Venkaiah Naidu saying they have worked out some details but final plans will be declared following a discussion with its president Amit Shah.

BJP sources said the party is likely to carry out weeklong 'Tiranga Yatra' from August 15 to August 22 to commemorate the 70th anniversary of the Independence Day.

Modi referred to the 'Vikas Parv', during which the government and party office bearers held over 200 events to publicise his dispensation's "successes" in its two years in power, and said the exercise was very successful and people responded to it enthusiastically.

"Mood is good. Keep it up. But observe caution," the Prime Minister told the party leaders. Over 66 ministers and 33 party office-bearers took part in the Vikas Parv.

As Parliamentary Affairs Minister Ananth Kumar spoke at length about the legislative agenda for the Monsoon session, Modi asked them to work hard, study and raise the standard of discussion, Naidu told reporters following the meeting.

The party leaders also gave Modi standing ovations twice over his "successful" foreign tours, including his address to the US Congress and the decision of two countries to accord their highest civilian honours on him.

External Affairs Minister Sushma Swaraj presented a detailed account of his foreign travels between the last session and the current session. Party leaders were also briefed about Yoga Day on June 21 and anti-Emergency day events held by the organisation.